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Pakistan-India talks on Siachen underway
ISLAMABAD: Defence Secretaries of India and Pakistan began two-day talks on the Siachen issue in Islamabad today.
The talks come at the backdrop of demands that the world's highest battlefield be demilitarised as soon as possible.
Indian Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma arrived in Pakistan for crucial talks on the military standoff on the Siachen glacier.
Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi is leading the Pakistani side in the talks.
Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani and President Asif Ali Zaradari have spoken about the need to resolve the issue.
India has, however, stuck to its known position that no troop withdrawal is possible without Pakistan authenticating current troop positions, delineating the boundary on the map and demarcating it on ground.
Ahead of the talks, Defence Minister AK Antony cautioned against expecting any breakthrough at the meeting saying, "Do not expect any dramatic announcement or decision on an issue which is very important for us, especially in the context of national security. You cannot expect a dramatic announcement from one discussion."
AFP adds: It is the 13th round of talks between the two countries on Siachen. All previous discussions have ended in stalemate.
The Indian visitors were to meet Pakistan's Defence Minister Naveed Qamar later on Monday, but Pakistan provided no further details.
A joint statement will be issued on Tuesday, the spokesman said.
Courtesy www.geo.tv
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